Teachers should increase hours in front of the class, says network head

Boeve’s suggestion is part of a plan for an organisational reform, which should save the network €800.000 – 10% of the total budget. The re-organisation is necessary, he said, because of Flemish government budget cuts.

If teachers in the second and third years also gave lessons for 22 hours, he told VRT news, “we could invest more in the guidance of new teachers and the implementation of the M decree.” The M decree consists of measures that enable students with special needs to register and remain in regular education.

Teachers who give lesson in practical applications work 29 hours per week, Boeve pointed out. “The argument for this used to be that they don’t have to prepare their classes, but organising a good internship for a student also takes time, for example,” he said.

In September of last year, Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits had already suggested that teachers in the second and third years spend more time in front of the class. She said this week that the debate is still open but should not be held in the media.

Jos Van Der Hoeve, secretary-general of the Christian education union, said he was willing to discuss the topic again but that the money saved should benefit staff. He emphasised the need to focus on improving the “workability” of the job of teachers – for example reducing their administrative tasks. He also said that the measure could save Flanders up to €150 million but also cost 3,000 jobs.